Despite the many dire warnings of the risks involved in the 1916 commemorations, the general consensus confirmed that Ireland had not only conducted them with dignity and gravitas but had also succeeded in igniting a public mood of pride and confidence as people streamed onto the streets to remember Ireland’s journey towards self-determination. How can we sustain the positive tone in future commemorations? Will Civil War politics provoke division and old enmities? A panel of distinguished experts examines the key issues.

Martina Devlin is a novelist and columnist for the Irish Independent

Diarmaid Ferriter is Professor of Modern Irish History at UCD

Patsy McGarry is Religious Affairs correspondent with The Irish Times

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times. He is the editor of Was it for This? Reflections on the Easter Rising.

Margaret O’Callaghan is a senior lecturer at Queen’s University, Belfast School of History

Sarah Carey is a columnist and broadcaster.

Events are liable to change. To stay informed of any changes in the Festival programme, please sign up to our mailing list

No booking required. Seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Auditorium doors open twenty minutes prior to event.

Events are liable to change. To stay informed of any changes in the Festival programme, please sign up to our mailing list